Raised access floor structure for networks

ABSTRACT

The raised access floor structure for networks comprises: a plurality of floor units and a plurality of supporting seats; wherein each of the supporting seats is composed of a crossed member and four pedestals integrally connecting therewith; the crossed member is located lower than the tops of the pedestals, and has between every two neighboring pedestals at least a separating piece; thereby, four floor units separated mutually have their positions limited by the separating pieces after folded flanks of the floor units are received in the crossed member, and the floor units can be clung evenly on the tops of the pedestals. The structure is applied to use for network-line laying out in a house or in an office etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a raised access floor structure fornetworks, and especially to a raised access floor structure that isstructurally simple, stead and easy for positioning after assembling,not subject to an uneven ground and having good grounding effect; it isapplied to use for network-line laying out in a house or in an officeetc.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Distribution and laying out of networks and other kind of lines are veryimportant and necessary in modern life. Because that every computer canonly be connected with a host or connected electrically through anetwork, so that intertwining of lines becomes more and more complicatedwhen amount of equipment gets larger and larger. If lines are exposedoutside, they look badly and affect walking of people.

A floor for networks can be elevated for assembling, it leaves a spacefor threading and distribution of lines; thereby it has been of the maintrend for datalization of modern office. Related raised access floorsfor networks in the markets presently have much improvement upon thoseraised access floors developed in the initial stage, and there arevarious kinds of products. Referring to FIGS. 8-9 showing a conventionalraised access floor structure for networks, the floor includes aplurality of floor units A and a plurality of raising seats B (theraising seats B can be of the specification as shown in FIG. 8). Whereinthe four peripheral edges of each floor unit A are folded down to formfolded flanks A1; the top surface of each raising seat B has a crossedslit B1, each crossed slit B1 can receive therein two folded flanks A1formed on two floor units A. By the fact that each raising seat B can beused to raise a corner of each of four floor units A, in this way, alarge raised access floor for networks can be formed.

In fact, designing of a raised access floor for networks with goodquality, in addition to being easy for mold opening and production,shall have the consideration of the convenience in arrangement andpositioning in construction in site as well as of the acquiring ofstable supporting of the floor units after assembling without beingsubject to shaking and an uneven ground. However, although the aforesaidraised access floor for networks can achieve its object of use, it stillhas the following flaws:

-   1. Its raising seats are each integrally formed to have a fixed    appearance; they cannot be adjusted in pursuance of the unevenness    of a ground. When the ground is uneven, the seats tend to get    upwardly bending corners; and if the ground is recessed, a case that    the floor units are hard to insert for being received can be    induced.-   2. Each slit on a raising seat shall have a width to make tight    mating of two folded flanks on two floor units therein, this makes a    situation that insertion of only one folded flank may induce    loosening that renders the second folded flank hard to insert.    Similarly, when floor units are removed for repairing or line    distribution afterwards, lifting of a floor unit will make loosening    and displacement of the neighboring floor unit relative to its    corresponding seat, this renders construction inconvenient and    accuracy of construction largely reduced.-   3. Electric grounding of the floor units can only be achieved by    mutual contact of the surfaces of the ground with the floor units    after engaging of the folded flanks in the slits, as stated above,    the ground is not completely even, and the thickness of each floor    unit is not completely precise nor uniform, the entire structure    after assembling is subject to shaking, thereby grounding effect is    not ideal. Especially in those countries using 220 volts    electrically, it is unable to make suitable dealing with grounding.

In view of these, the inventors of the present invention developed araised access floor structure for networks based on their professionalexperience of years on raised access floors to solve the above statedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a raisedaccess floor structure that is not subject to an uneven ground, and isstructurally simple, stead and easy for positioning after assembling.

The secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a raisedaccess floor structure which is good in grounding and can increase thestrength of supporting structurally.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a raised accessfloor structure that is easy for drawing out lines.

To achieve the above stated objectives, the raised access floorstructure of the present invention comprises: a plurality of floor unitsand a plurality of supporting seats.

In the present invention, the four peripheral edges of each floor unitare folded down to form folded flanks; each supporting seat is locatedbeneath the center of four mutually neighboring floor units to supportthe four floor units. The present invention is characterized by that:each supporting seat is composed of a crossed member and four pedestalsintegrally connecting therewith; the crossed member is located lowerthan the tops of the pedestals, and has between every two neighboringpedestals at least a separating piece.

Thereby, the four floor units can be separated mutually to have theirpositions limited by the separating pieces after the folded flanks ofthe floor units are received in the crossed member, and the floor unitscan be clung evenly on the tops of their corresponding pedestals.

The present invention will be apparent after reading the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment thereof in reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the appearance of theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the state after floor units are placed ina supporting seat of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the supporting seat of the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing part of the appearance of theembodiment of the present invention after assembling;

FIG. 5 is schematic plan view showing conveniently drawing a line undertwo floor units juxtaposed with each other out of a slot formed betweenthe floor units of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the supportingseat of the present invention having a pole protruding upwardly from acentral crossed member;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken from FIG. 6, showing light cement isfilled in pedestals of the supporting seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-5 showing a preferred embodiment of theraised access floor structure for networks of the present invention, thestructure comprises: a plurality of floor units 1 and a plurality ofsupporting seats 2.

Each of the floor units 1 has four peripheral edges folded down to formfolded flanks 11.

The supporting seats 2 are integrally made of PE or plastic material.Each supporting seat 2 is located beneath the center of four mutuallyneighboring floor units 1 to support the latter. Such a supporting seat2 is composed of a crossed member 21 and four pedestals 22 integrallyconnecting therewith; the crossed member 21 is located lower than thetops of the pedestals 22, and has between every two neighboringpedestals 22 a separating piece 211.

Thereby, the four floor units 1 can be separated mutually to have theirpositions limited by the separating pieces 211 after the folded flanks11 of the floor units 1 are received in the crossed member 21, and thefloor units 1 can be clung evenly on the tops of their correspondingpedestals 22. So that easy assembling can be attained, and no looseningor hard receiving during assembling can occur.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, when in practicing, the middle sections ofthe separating pieces 211 can be interrupted (as shown in FIG. 3) infavor of easy insertion of the floor units 1. Each floor unit 1 has onits one peripheral edge an arciform notch 13, so that when two arciformnotches 13 of two floor units 1 are juxtaposed with each other, a lineoutlet 4 is formed (as shown in FIGS. 4, 5). Two “L” shaped stop pieces212 are provided respectively at the two lateral sides of each of theseparating pieces 211 for firm positioning of the floor units 1.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 3, wherein each pedestal 22 ishollow; and the supporting seat 2 can be inserted therein with a metalpost 4 for reinforcement in supporting. The metal post 4 is cylindrical,and has a plurality of notches 41 spaced away mutually to form acastle-like form. The diagonally opposite four corners of the fourpedestals 22 of the supporting seat 2 can be changed to form arciformcorner walls 221 to encircle a round space, this can allow insertion ofthe metal post 4 from below the supporting seat 2. Thereby, thesupporting seat 2 can be added therein with the metal post 4 duringassembling, this not only can increase firmness of the supporting seat2, but also can increase the fireproof effect by having the metalmaterial.

In addition, to meet the requirement of those countries using 220 voltselectrically in grounding, the supporting seat 2 provided in the presentinvention can be covered with a grounding metal pad-piece 23 on thecrossed member 21 of the supporting seat 2 when in manufacturing in afactory (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2), hence in construction, when the floorunits 1 are placed in the supporting seat 2, the floor units 1 can bedirectly pressed upon the grounding metal pad-piece 23 to make groundingof the floor units 1 through the grounding metal pad-piece 23.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, when in laying out, the metal post 4 is placedfrom below the supporting seat 2 to render the crossed member 21 in thesupporting seat 2 to be abutted against and fixed on the notches 41 ofthe metal post 4. Then the supporting seat 2 is well placed on theground, and the floor units 1 can be inserted one by one in the crossedmember 21 in the supporting seat 2 (the arciform notches 13 of the floorunits 1 all direct to the same center). When in insertion of a floorunit 1, its peripheral folded flanks 11 are limited between theircorresponding separating pieces 211 and pedestals 22 to avoidinconvenience of insertion of other floor units 1 induced by looseningof the first floor unit 1. And insertion of the floor units 1 candirectly press upon the grounding metal pad-piece 23, so that the floorunits 1 can make grounding through the grounding metal pad-piece 23.When an electrician works in construction, he may make grounding at anyof the floor units 1 at a suitable location.

After assembling, if it is desired to repair, a tool can be used to prya floor unit 1 taking advantage of a corresponding arciform notch 13.And during line distribution, an arciform notch 13 of a floor unit 1 canbe changed in direction to make another arciform notch 13 of anotherfloor unit 1 opposite thereto to form a hole 14 (as shown in FIG. 5),this helps to drawing out lines thereunder.

Further referring to FIGS. 6-7, to make a better fireproof effect toreach the “0” class fireproof standard, every pedestal 22 can be filledtherein with light cement 5, and the bottom of the pedestal 22 can betightly sealed with an adhesive coating 6, in order that the pedestal 22can be a closed solid member.

Besides, for the purpose of rendering a grounding metal pad-piece 23more stably placed on a supporting seat 2, the crossed member 21 in thesupporting seat 2 can be provided with a pole 24 protruding upwardlyfrom a central crossed member 21 of the supporting seat 2 for fixedlyengaging of the grounding metal pad-piece 23 thereon; the pole 24 isfurther provided thereon with a locking hole 241.

In summary, the present invention thereby has the following advantages:

-   1. The raised access floor structure for networks of the present    invention is simple structurally and easy for assembling. With the    design of separating pieces, even a single one floor unit can make    the structure fixed when it is inserted in, and its corresponding    supporting seat will not be loosened to affect assembling of another    floor unit. The entire structure is very firm after assembling. And    in practical distribution in construction, thickness of the    separating pieces is very thin, and the floor will be added with    articles such as rectangular blankets etc. after construction, no    worry is supposed to have about something will drop or be blocked by    the separating pieces.-   2. Each supporting seat of the present invention is composed of a    crossed member and four pedestals integrally connecting therewith;    hence the entire structure is softer and more flexible, the crossed    member and four pedestals are connected mutually but not completely    fixed nor inflexible, the structure can be adjusted by slightly    bending in pursuance of unevenness of a ground to facilitate    assembling in construction.-   3. Each supporting seat of the present invention is provided therein    with a cylindrical metal post to largely increase the firmness of    the supporting seat. And the metal material can increase the    fireproof effect of the supporting seat. Alternatively, each    pedestal can be filled therein with light cement, and the bottom of    the pedestal can be tightly sealed with an adhesive coating to get a    even better fireproof effect to reach the “0” class fireproof    standard.-   4. Each supporting seat of the present invention is covered with a    grounding metal pad-piece on the crossed member of the supporting    seat when manufacturing in a factory, hence in construction, floor    units can be directly pressed upon the grounding metal pad-piece to    make ground contacting of the floor units. There is no need of other    construction for grounding, thereby it is very convenient and time    saving in construction.-   5. When in assembling the floor, and during line distribution, it    needs only to change the direction of an arciform notch of a floor    unit to be opposite to another arciform notch of another floor unit    to form a hole, this is benefit to drawing out lines thereunder.

The embodiment given is only for illustrating the present invention, andnot for giving any limitation to the scope of the present invention. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modificationsor changes without departing from the spirit of this invention shallalso fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In conclusion, the present invention can get the expected objectivesthereof to provide a practicable raised access floor structure fornetworks. Having thus described my invention, what we claim as new anddesire to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States are:

1. A raised access floor structure for networks, said structurecomprises: a plurality of floor units, each of said floor units has fourperipheral edges folded down to form folded flanks; a plurality ofsupporting seats, each of said supporting seat is located beneath thecenter of four mutually neighboring ones of said floor units to supportthe latter; said structure is characterized by that: each of saidsupporting seats is composed of a crossed member and four pedestalsintegrally connecting therewith; said crossed member is located lowerthan tops of said pedestals, and has between every two neighboring onesof said pedestals at least a separating piece; thereby, said four floorunits are separated mutually to have their positions limited by saidseparating pieces after said folded flanks of said floor units arereceived in said crossed member, and said floor units are clung evenlyon said tops of the corresponding ones of said pedestals.
 2. The raisedaccess floor structure for networks as in claim 1, wherein saidsupporting seats are integrally made of plastic material.
 3. The raisedaccess floor structure for networks as in claim 1, wherein middlesections of said separating pieces are interrupted.
 4. The raised accessfloor structure for networks as in claim 1, wherein said supportingseats each is covered with a grounding metal pad-piece on said centralcrossed member thereof, when said floor units are placed in saidsupporting seat, said floor units make electric grounding through saidgrounding metal pad-piece.
 5. The raised access floor structure fornetworks as in claim 4, wherein said central crossed member in saidsupporting seat is provided with a upwardly protruding pole for fixedlyengaging of said grounding metal pad-piece thereon; said pole is furtherprovided thereon with a locking hole.
 6. The raised access floorstructure for networks as in claim 1, wherein two “L” shaped stop piecesare provided respectively at two lateral sides of each of saidseparating pieces for firm positioning of said floor units.
 7. Theraised access floor structure for networks as in claim 1, wherein everypedestal is filled therein with light cement, and the bottom of saidpedestal is tightly sealed with an adhesive coating, in order that saidpedestal is a closed solid member.
 8. The raised access floor structurefor networks as in claim 1, wherein each of said pedestals is hollow;and each of said supporting seats is inserted therein with a metal postfor reinforcement in supporting.
 9. The raised access floor structurefor networks as in claim 8, wherein said metal post is cylindrical, andhas a plurality of notches spaced away mutually on the top of said metalpost; four diagonally opposite corners of said four pedestals of saidsupporting seat form arciform corner walls to encircle a round space,when in insertion of said metal post from below said supporting seat,said crossed member is abutted against and fixed on notches provided onsaid metal post.
 10. The raised access floor structure for networks asin claim 1, wherein each of said floor units has on one peripheral edgethereof an arciform notch, so that when two of said arciform notches oftwo of said floor units are juxtaposed with each other, a line outlet isformed.